NSW government downplays B-triple trials

The NSW government has downplayed reports that B-triple trucks will be trialled between Sydney and Melbourne.

"B-triples already operate on select freight routes in western NSW," Roads and Ports Minister Duncan Gay said in a statement on Sunday.

"But we are a long way off a decision on whether B-triples will be trialled on the Hume, it certainly won't happen in 2013."

He also scuttled reports that B-triples could be allowed on the Pacific Highway between Sydney and Brisbane or on suburban streets.

His statement follows a Fairfax report that a trial of the 35m-long trucks on the Hume highway could begin once a bypass at Holbrook was finished in mid-2013.

Once completed, the Hume highway would be a dual carriage way along its entire stretch between Sydney and Melbourne.

Allowing B-triples on the popular freight route would address the projected surge in freight activity, Mr Duncan said.

"Safety will be the top priority in any final decision on a trial, including the safety performance of HPVs (higher productivity vehicles) in areas such as stability, manoeuvrability and braking," he said.